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The Chicago Public League products helped host students from the elementary schools they each attended in the city at a 4-on-4 basketball tournament at the Advocate Center.
Horton-Tucker and Dosunmu’s Bulls teammates also joined in to handle coaching.
Horton-Tucker attended St. Matthias Elementary School in Lincoln Square, while Dosunmu attended Beasley Elementary School in Washington Park. They have been connected on the basketball court since they were kids.
“Me and Ayo have known each other since we were in like fourth, fifth grade, so we kind of grew up playing each other, being rivals, being teammates,” said Horton-Tucker. “So, you know, it’s nothing new for us. Being teammates is actually funny.”
Dosunmu remembers Horton-Tucker’s skills on the basketball court well from when they were kids.
“He was a little bit chubbier,” he said. “He always could finish around the rim. He always had a good IQ; a good feel for the game.”
Horton-Tucker said he’s glad to get opportunities to be a mentor to kids during the NBA season.
“I wish I was able to get this opportunity—being able to have both schools coming out is always something good. It’s funny, a few of the kids, they went to my basketball camp this summer,” he said. “So like being able to see them again, and seeing them now, is like great, just because, you know, we don’t see them that much, and obviously being in the NBA, you won’t really be around a lot of kids.”
Dosunmu said he hoped the tournament Tuesday makes for memories they can take with them to their homes or schools.
“It’s very important at a young age, being able to connect with kids, and you know, let them know that they can accomplish anything—whether it’s playing basketball, whether it’s the classroom, whether it’s to become a doctor—anything they may do, you know, they can accomplish it. I think the more you put positive, impactful people in their face; continue to tell them day in and day out, the more they believe it. Like I said, the youth—that’s what the world is all about, the youth.”
The Bulls are back in action on Friday when they take on Charlotte at the United Center
